Tom Bass school opens doors

The Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School will hold an open day on June 5.

Members of the public are encouraged to head down to the school, located in Clara Street Erskineville, to see first-hand what happens at the legendary sculptor’s studio.

The Open Day will offer a chance for anyone interested in sculpture to see what the studio is like and potentially enrol in short-term or longer programs to develop their sculpting skills.

Dr Margo Hoekstra, the Chair of the School’s Board, said the day is a way for the public to see the form of sculpture up-close.

“Sculpture as an art form can be a way of enriching and connecting communities,” she said. “The journey our students go on is transformational, and we love seeing their confidence grow as they come to understand the classic approach to this art. This lays the foundation to further learning and the discovery of an artist’s unique expression.”

Dr Hoekstra said that a broad range of people attend the school from emerging sculptors to people who just wanted to learn  more about the medium of sculpture.

“Students come from a wide ranging background including arts students, and professionals, (people) looking to develop their creative expression as well as those wishing to explore sculpture for the first time.”

On June 7 the school will also present the Tom Bass Memorial Lecture. Deborah Beck, lecturer and archivist at the National Art School will give the lecture at the Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School in Darlinghurst.

The Tom Bass Sculpture School was established in 1974 by renowned sculptor Tom Bass. Bass was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 for services to sculpture. Bass died in February 2010 at the age of 93.